Job Summary

 REPORTS TO:   WASH and MCH Project Coordinator

 DUTY STATION: Chefedonsa, Gimbichu woreda, East showa zone, Oromia region 

 PROGRAM:  Improving Access and Utilization of Maternal and Child Health Services in Gimbichu District, East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

MINIMUM HOURS OF WORK: 40 hours per week

PROGRAM DURATION:    18 months

 Program Description: 

In support of the government aspiration to see a “transformed Woreda” MOH and other ministries have started a Multi sectoral woreda transformation pilot at woreda level. Gimbichu woreda is shown to be pilot for this concept and operation has started. Gimbichu is a place where the recent deadliest Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft accident occurred killing 157 passengers on 10 March 2019. Following this accident Boeing Community Investment Fund (BCIF) availed some funding to support the community of Gimbichu with different activities.

 The objective of the program is to improve access and utilization of quality primary health care services in Gimbichu District with an emphasis to essential maternal and child health services and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Women of reproductive age group (15 – 45 years) in selected kebeles of the district are the target population for this activity. Our MCH intervention approach will focus mainly on behavioural change activities to increase health awareness and behaviour for improved use of maternal and child health services. Our WASH interventions will focus on health facilities and schools to reduce number of infections acquired in health facilities, and to strengthen school attendance and reduce female student dropouts by working on menstrual hygiene management for female students.  The activities will be implemented through existing health extension workers (HEWs) and other community based health structures; and we will engage religious and opinion leaders in the community. Local media outlets and communal structures that attract mass gathering will also be targeted.

 The following will be illustrative activities under the WASH and MCH program in Gimbichu:

• Health education using local mass media/radio, social mobilization and demand creation, Transport re-imbursement for pregnant mothers for ANC follow up (reimburse taxi fares or local transport cost for pregnant mothers visiting health facilities.
• Train health care workers in selected MCH areas, use digital health solution to track/ monitor health facility follow up visits by mothers, and Implementation of WASH activities (conduct IPC training, repair and maintain water tankers and pipe line, toilets, hand washing facility and CASH implementation in the Health centres.
• Implement School WASH activities including WASH-behavioural change communication and training for teachers and students; Broadcast community health education using local mass media radio on WASH; provide water tankers and water purification services; Creating hand washing facilities, renovating school toilet facilities and promoting hand washing practices and proper sanitary facility use; Installing first aid kits in school; Promoting and providing education on menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and ensuring the availability of sanitary pads for girls,; Coordinate community participation in constructing communal latrines, and liquid and solid disposal management;
• Support Social mobilization and Community Participation, Support the woreda leaders to conduct review meeting and align their plan, Supportive supervision and mentoring.

DUTIES AND RESPONSILBILITIES

 JOB SUMMARY

 The MCH officer will be responsible to provide technical support and coordinate to all activities related to Maternal and Child Health activities in the woreda. S/he will provide support for assigned woreda’s health officein planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of MCH activities. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the WASH and MCH project coordinator. This position will be based in Chefedonsa, Gimbichu woreda with frequent travel to health centres/Health posts and communities with in the woreda to monitor program implementation and oversee the quality of activities and services.

 SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical assistance to the woreda Health Office, Health centres/health posts, and HEWs and communities through engaging on MCH program interventions.
• Support the realization of the overall goal of multi-sectoral woreda transformation in collaboration with other relevant sectors.
• Engage in and coordinate the capacity building efforts that include assessment of MCH related training needs, develop training plans, organize trainings in close collaboration with the WASH and MCH coordinator to ensure all trainings are conducted on time and within acceptable standards (trainers, venue, materials, schedule, etc.).
• Participate in health communication message development and dissemination to targeted health facilities and communities.
• Closely work with the woreda WASH officer in an integrated manner to ensure synergy and alignment with the multi-sectoral woreda transformation plan
• Collaborate with other organizations and projects/programs working on MCH activities to ensure synergy, sharing of technical resources, learning and mutual support.
• Coordinate and conduct field visit and integrated/joint supportive supervision to health centres, health posts, schools and communities and document findings and recommendations of field visits for follow-up action.
• Participates in catchment area meetings, review meetings, supervisions and program monitoring.
• Ensures that feedback from supportive supervision visits, review meetings and related forums are communicated to the health facilities for continuous improvement in MCH interventions.
• Support the linkage of HEWs with HDA as well as community mobilization and sensitization through HDA for MCH related activities and ensure that key messages of the program reaches the community.
• Participate in the development of Woreda operational plans for MCH programs and support the Woreda Health team in executing the annual plans.
• Produce, document and share program implementation reports, supportive supervisions as well as mentoring reports.
• Identify areas of best practices and success stories and collaborate with the WASH and MCH project coordinator to produce monthly/quarterly/Annual reports and success stories.
• Document and submit regular report on the performance of the MCH activity to WASH / MCH project coordinator based at Project HOPE country office to track activity’s performance.
• Support woreda health and education offices and facilities in performance monitoring and use of data for decision making.
• Represents the MCH team in selected relevant regional and district health forums.
• Performs other functions assigned by the project coordinator.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• BSC degree in Public health, nursing and related fields.
• At least 5 years relevant / community MCH program experience.
• Good knowledge and experience of MCH programs
• Experience in capacity building (programmatic and technical).
• Experience in organizing and conducting standard maternal and child health trainings per national standards
• Experience in supporting multi-sectoral program and activities like MCH/WASH/Nutrition/ HIV/School health.
• Experience working with the woreda health offices
• Knowledge of local language is mandatory.

  Special Skills Required

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including influencing, negotiation, cultural awareness and ability to work well in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work in highly demanding, and challenging work environment, and ability to take initiatives and solve problems
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Good computer skills (MS Office applications).
• Ability to meet deadline without compromising quality
• Flexibility to adjust to different situations and contexts.
• Identify with the values and mission of Project HOPE

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV and cover letter through Ethiojobs on or before Friday March 05, 2021 before 5.00 pm.